Rajkumar Topannavar and Sujit Mulgund have submitted a detailed complaint to the Karnataka Lokayukta SP in Belagavi, alleging a massive illegal mining racket involving bauxite and aluminous laterite ore worth thousands of crores in Belagavi district, particularly in Belagavi and Khanapur talukas.
The complaint points to ะฝะตะทะฐะบะพะฝ mining on government land bearing Survey No. 285 in Belgundi village, raising serious concerns over violations of mining laws, environmental norms, and regulatory procedures. The complainants have named senior officials, including those from the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Karnataka, and the Indian Bureau of Mines, alleging negligence, lack of oversight, and possible collusion in allowing such activities to continue. They claim that permissions were granted or allowed despite mining being carried out on undisclosed government land and without mandatory clearances from Revenue, Forest, and Environmental authorities.
The complaint further identifies Malini Resources as a key entity allegedly involved in illegal extraction, transportation, and disposal of minerals without valid approvals. It states that mining operations have exceeded permissible limits and have not adhered to approved mining plans, indicating a systematic breakdown of regulatory enforcement.
Serious allegations have also been made about an inter-state network operating between Karnataka and Maharashtra. The complainants have raised concerns over the role of officials in Maharashtra, including the Chandgad Tahsildar, who is allegedly issuing transport permits for mineral material dumped at Savalli village without verifying its origin, thereby enabling the movement and legalization of illegally mined ore.
According to the complaint, despite ongoing ะฝะตะทะฐะบะพะฝ mining activities, authorities have failed to take effective action, leading to massive loss of government royalty and severe environmental damage. The impacts cited include destruction of natural landscapes, depletion of groundwater resources, and adverse effects on agriculture and local livelihoods.
The complainants have urged the Lokayukta to initiate a comprehensive investigation into Malini Resources, examine the role of the named officials, and uncover the full extent of the inter-state mining network. They have also called for identification of the end users and beneficiaries of the ะฝะตะทะฐะบะพะฝ ะดะพะฑััะพะณะพ ore, immediate suspension of illegal mining operations, strict action against erring public servants, and recovery of losses caused to the government and environment.